May 03, 2012

Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Spice Market New York, located in New York City's legendary Meat Packing District, and this restaurant delivers on all counts. The atmosphere is truly inspirational, transporting you instantly to Southeast Asia.

Vongerichten collaborated with designer Jacques Garcia to create an atmosphere that is warm, cozy, sexy and inviting. With artifacts imported from Rajastan, South India, Burma and Malaysia and combined with custom-made colonial style furniture, the space is literally transformed into, as the restaurant's site describes, "An Oriental cocoon worlds away from the neighborhood’s bustle." Soft music and lighting add to the wonderful experience, speaking whispers of the special cuisine yet to come.

Inspired by Jean-Georges' trip through Southeast Asia, the menu is a nod to the various foods offered in Vietnamese street markets and Thia food stalls, painstakingly and meticulously delivered by Chef de Cuisine, Anthony Ricco. The food is eclectic, fresh, perfectly portioned and delicious, while being uniquely served family style, allowing all at the table to experience the culinary wonders Chefs Vongerichten and Ricco have created. Service was discreet, with servers being ever present, if unobtrusively so.

All ala carte dishes are moderately priced, and there is also a chef's tasting menu for $48.00 per person. My favorite dishes were the Chicken and Coconut Milk Soup and the Crispy Pork Belly (pictured). All in all, I highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to my next sojourn through the menu.

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I've been called an Evangelical Epicure~Travel Troubadour~Food Writer and Social Media Consultant. I'm enjoying this journey called life and sometimes... I write about it.

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